law before derby clash

A GAP of six places and ten points separate rivals Padiham and Nelson as they go into a derby clash at the Arbories tomorrow.

Sixth in the table Nelson, boosted by manager Dave Hill's award of manager of the month, travel to the division's leaders looking to make up ground in the chase for promotion.

But while Hill has been celebrating, opposite number Steve Wilkes has been laying down the law.

Wilkes has banned players from being involved in Sunday League matches if there are league fixtures the week after.

Denny Khan was dropped last Saturday after the striker missed two games, aggravating a hamstring injury in a Sunday League game in between matches.

"Hopefully the ban's gone down well. None of them played this Sunday and there wasn't one complaint," Wilkes said.

"If we've got a free Saturday then I don't have a problem with them playing. But not when we've got a game the following Saturday, and certainly not when there's a midweek one."

Wilkes is expecting a real battle at The Arbories tomorrow.

"Tomorrow will be one hell of a tough game because they are flying at the moment and Dave Hall has been named manager of the month for November," said Wilkes

"We beat them in the second game of the season, 3-0, at their place, so they will be looking to exact revenge I'm sure.

"Paul Barrett's showed a bit of form lately and has got a few goals. Unfortunately I haven't got anyone who's sticking the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis.

"But we're top of the league so it's not all doom and gloom.

"For a couple of players who left Padiham in the summer to go to Nelson, it will be the first time they've been back to the Arbories.

"The only disappointing thing is that Burnley are at home to Preston, which is a big attraction which might draw some of our crowd away, otherwise we'd be expecting a decent gate."

And Wilkes is looking for an improvement in his side for the derby clash.

"We will have to play 99 per cent better than we did last Saturday," said Wilkes, who will select without Rob Batty who is sidelined after a knee operation.

"Even though we won, we were poor, and some of the players acknowledged that a better side would have beaten us.

"All I can say is I'm glad I didn't pay to watch last week because it was attrocious.

"I suppose it's a decent sign when you're not playing well and winning, but we've only won two league games in seven.

"We're not playing well but we got away with it on Saturday. We might not be that lucky again."

"I will try to strengthen the side before the weekend, and I've got to try to find a goalkeeper for Saturday."